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Bedesten

(St Nicholas church of the English)

Bedesten north entrance

The Bedesten is one of the most important historical buildings in Nicosia, reflecting the multicultural life and many historical periods of the city.

Tucked between the Selimiye mosque and the Bandabuliya, the Bedesten was originally a 12th century Byzantine church. It was later enlarged, with some Gothic additions by the Lusignans. After further changes by the Venetians, the building was handed over to the Greek Orthodox church.

Under the Ottomans, it served for a while as a grain store and cloth market., but was later allowed to deteriorate so that only the north vaulting remained intact. Looking around the church, you can still see the effects of the severe earthquakes of centuries ago.

Bedesten under renovation

Until the beginning of the British rule, the Bedesten was the busiest and most  important marketplace in Nicosia, and slowly evolved into a marketplace where all kinds of goods were sold.

The Bedesten is now preserved as an ancient monument. The masonry on its northern entrance resembles the masonry on the entrance of St Sophia Cathedral. The interior has many fallen marble and granite columns, probably Roman, and it is obvious even with a casual glance that the Bedesten was once a much larger church. It remains a mystery, however, why two such large churches were built so close together.

Extensive renovation of the Bedesten is underway, and it is hoped that it will be open to the public again in the not too distant future.

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